Effect of elbow carrying angle on lateral epicondylitis development

Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common elbow joint injuries and elbow anatomy is a risk factor. Our study aims to evaluate whether the elbow carrying angle affects the development of lateral epicondylitis by considering sex differences. Elbow radiographs of 211 people (aged 18–65 years) diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and having anteroposterior radiographs of the elbow taken in the appropriate position in the imaging archive of our hospital between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The control group comprised elbow radiographs of 113 people in the same age range. The study evaluated the age, sex, and side and elbow carrying angles of the participants in the patient and control groups. The average elbow carrying angle was calculated as 14.6 (7.8–22.1). No significant relationship was found between the lateral epicondylitis and control groups based on sex (P = .383), side (P = .634) and age (P = .189). The mean elbow carrying angle was 13.8 ± 3.7 in the group with lateral epicondylitis and 15.9 ± 3.6 in the control group and was significantly lower in the group with lateral epicondylitis (P < .05). A decrease in the elbow carrying angle namely cubitus varus, may lead to the development of lateral epicondylitis.